Easily among the best children’s movie from recent years. Probably better than most children’s movies since a long time.
BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA
Based on a critically acclaimed Novel of the same name – this movie adaptation made 30 years after the release of the novel – lives up to the quality of the novel.
Wiki says: Screenwriter David Paterson is author Katherine Paterson’s son, and the novel is based on parts of his childhood. When he asked his mother if he could write a screenplay of the novel, she agreed because of his ability as a playwright.
So there was the personal touch, which probably breathed much life into a simple kid’s story to make it into an immensely moving tale about life as a child with little comforts but great happiness and friendships.
This one tops in both adaptation of a children’s story and as among the best children’s stories.
The movie stays with the spirit of the book, though it is not the same.
There are quite a few things different – but the plot and premise stay the same.
Director Csupó noted that the two main characters are a little bit older in the film than they are in the book. Csupó reasons that the movie “deals with so many issues including friendship, and maybe first innocent love, things like that”, so it “made more sense” to make the characters older.
So, while the author’s son had experienced similar loss when he was 8 years old and the novel is indeed dedicated by the mother to her son – the movie shows us young school teenagers who are getting into their own – finding others and themselves and discovering the world around them – and more importantly the possibilities of love and life.
This movie may be too much for anyone younger than 12 to appreciate or understand its suggestions. But nevertheless it is a story for youth. It is meant for children so as to give them the benefit of these 2 young adventurers, who explored self and society and the immense joy of friendships.
Adults would also enjoy the movie very much as this isn’t your typical Walt Disney movie, even though Disney did make it and made it well.
Special effects never get in your way and the world you experience is closer to home than you would think.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_to_Terabithia_(2007_film)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_to_Terabithia_(novel)
The original school and the original friend